The $10 million Collie Adventure Trails initiative will establish Collie as a premier ‘trail adventure town’ to attract local, national and international mountain bike and bushwalking tourists, and support the local economy.
Located 213 kilometres from Perth’s CBD and 60 kilometres from Bunbury, Collie has long been popular for adventure camping, water skiing and outdoor activities. Now, thanks to a $10 million State Government investment, Collie is set to become home to a world-class network of trails that will guide mountain bike riders and bushwalkers to explore more of the area.
Collie’s topography and landscape provide mountain bike riders with an array of areas to enjoy and challenges to tackle. The spectacular Collie River, which stretches from the town through Westralia Conservation Park and Wellington National Park; imposing granite outcrops; lush vegetation; and steep and varied natural features create an ideal foundation on which to build the world-class trails network.
The initiative will develop new trails and facilities that will showcase the area’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage, and make a significant economic contribution to the region.
The Collie Adventure Trails initiative includes:
The new trail network in Wellington National Park will include ‘epic’ standard trails, suitable for hosting national and international events. The area chosen for the trails in Wellington National Park will guide users through spectacular scenery and offer height differences of up to 200 metres along the valley chasm.
The trails network at Westralia Conservation Park will take riders from Collie town centre past some of the most iconic scenery in the region, including to Black Diamond Lake and Minninup Pool. A river crossing at Westralia Conservation Park will support the local mountain bike and walk trails by enabling trails along both sides of the spectacular Collie River Valley.
Trails being developed for Arklow Forest Block will complement recently built trails and provide a network suitable for a range of riders from beginners to advanced, as well as users of handcycles.
Each year 50,000 riders use the iconic Munda Biddi Trail, which journeys 1000 kilometres from Mundaring to Albany. The realignment will enhance the experience by diverting the trail off sealed roads and into bush areas. It will also provide opportunities for multi-day cycling loop tours and encourage users to take advantage of the local tourism opportunities.
The extension of the Wiilman Bilya walk trail will take hikers along the Collie River into Wellington National Park and then around the Wellington Dam, the largest reservoir in the south-west. It will also connect with Western Australia’s premier walking trail – the Bibbulmun Track.
The Collie Adventure Trails Project commenced in May 2019 with trail construction works in Arklow Forest Block. The remaining trail and infrastructure works will be progressively delivered in stages over the next four years.
The diverse vegetation, river valleys and granite outcrops around Collie are a very special place, being culturally significant to the Nyoongar traditional owners, and to the wider community. The forest habitats are also home to a number of endangered species including the woylie.
All trails being built as part of the Collie Adventure Trails initiative will be planned and developed in accordance with the eight-step Trail Development Process.
Environmental and cultural considerations such as Phytophthora dieback, flora, fauna and heritage (both Aboriginal and European) will be assessed in detail, with the trails designed to minimise impacts on these important values.
Trails will be built using best practice construction techniques to ensure the highest quality, maximum sustainability, minimal maintenance and maximum fun!
In April 2019, a significant step in realising Collie’s potential as a premier trail town was taken, with the announcement of the Collie Adventure Trails initiative, which will see $10 million being invested in mountain bike and hiking trails for the area.
A key outcome of this initiative is to grow and diversify Collie’s economy, create jobs across a range of industries by attracting new visitors and encouraging new businesses, and maintain a vibrant community.
It is anticipated that the trails will be used by:
The construction of the trails and an ‘adventure hub’ in Collie is expected to create up to 160 jobs over three years. It is estimated that 33 jobs will be created in the tourism sector to cater to the 12,000 additional visitors to the area each year. Financial modelling predicts that these visitors will inject $3.8 million per year into Collie, which will generate $6.9 million per year in the wider community.
This increased visitation will build on the already rising number of people travelling to Wellington National Park to enjoy recently upgraded campground facilities, toilets, barbecue shelters, roads, paths and day-use areas, as well as ‘glamping’ opportunities. These facilities are the result of a $5.2 million investment in the Collie–Wellington area since 2013–14. A further $6.8 million is earmarked to improve tourist roads in the area and establish Lake Kepwari east of Collie as a water-based recreation destination.
Local residents and job seekers are being given the opportunity to diversify their skills into the trail construction industry. The State Government is conducting a course for up to 20 Collie and Dwellingup residents to help them develop their skills to find a job in...
The Collie Adventure Trails program is off to a flying start with construction completed on the 9.5km Arklow Adaptive trail. The trail was designed to be a fun ride for disabled and abled bodied riders alike, accommodating hand cycles and giving mountain bike riders with...
DBCA were rapt to be present at the Collie River Valley Fifty mountain bike race run on June 16, 2019. It was a great opportunity to speak to locals and visiting mountain bikers about the Collie Adventure Trails project and get some early feedback. It...
The total budget for the Collie Adventure Trails project is $10 million. The project is being funded from the State government via the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
All construction works for the trails and supporting infrastructure will be tendered by DBCA in accordance with standard State government procurement processes.
Where possible, local content preferences will be added to procurement processes.
It is conservatively estimated the Collie Adventure Trails project will bring an additional 12,000 visitors annually to the area.
This equates to approximately $3.8 million in economic spend within the area annually, and presents a significant opportunity for existing businesses to expand, and new business to be created, such as commercial bike hire, and shuttle services between the trail networks.
Throughout the project, opportunities will be provided for local businesses to be involved in the project. As more trails are built and the project moves toward an operational phase, workshops will be conducted to help local businesses get ‘trail ready’.
The primary trailhead will be located in Collie. Secondary trailheads will be provided at various locations on the trail networks, including the Kiosk in Wellington National Park.
All trails will be planned and designed following the eight-step Trail Development Process to ensure environmental and heritage values are protected.
DBCA will consult closely with traditional owners in the planning and construction of new trails and facilities. The trail network is being developed to protect identified heritage sites and does not impact on them.
A sustainable business model will be developed and implemented at the same time as the trails are developed. DBCA will work with local government, volunteers and the MTB community to implement the model and maintain the trails.
The trails will primarily be for mountain bike use only, however they may be used for trail running events.
Management of the project will be led by DBCA with support from a reference group made up of representatives from: the Shire of Collie; Tourism WA; the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; Collie Chamber of Commerce; Department of Premier and Cabinet; and the South West Development Commission. Advice and input will also be sought through Westcycle and the Collie Mountain Bike Club.
The Collie Adventure Trails are expected to create the following community benefits:
While much of the work of this initiative will be in developing the trails themselves, a key aspect will be to establish Collie as a ‘trail town’. As home to the primary trail town facilities, Collie will house a bike wash, bike racks and storage, lockers, bike hire and repair facilities, trail information, toilets and showers.
No trails are currently being planned for private land.
The trails will allow greater community access to engage with the natural environment, and therefore learn about it and value it. Along the trails there will be innovative education and interpretation signage and opportunities to support environmental and cultural awareness and advocacy.
Mountain bike trails will generally be between 600mm and 1200mm wide and naturally surfaced. In order to minimise erosion and future maintenance, sections of the trail network may have to be hardened, using materials such as gravel, rock and stabilising treatments.
No walking trails are planned to be closed, however there may be sections of dual purpose trail required in high conservation areas of Wellington National Park and Westralia Conservation Park. DBCA’s trail planning aims to ensure that both walking trails and proposed mountain bike trails co-exist respectfully and safely.
Want to know more about the project, or want to leave some feedback? We’d love to hear from you!
